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Chapter 498: Mechanical Genius - Victor
Rows of carriages rumbled along the uneven road.
The clattering sound mingled with splashes of water.
The surrounding pedestrians cautiously avoided puddles, as though they were accustomed to this scene.
A faint smell wafted into the carriage, making Matthew instinctively raise his eyebrows, the corners of his mouth curling slightly.
"As expected, the power of inertia is formidable."
From the moment floating cities were invented, Sevinton, situated on the ground, had already lost its primary significance.
Producing more floating cities and cultivating more Arcanists had gradually become the Netheril Empire's top priority.
Everything else was subordinated to serve this goal.
This was also why the empire's territory ceased its large-scale expansion.
The lack of noticeable upgrades in the military's weapons, equipment, and combat tactics was another result.
Quietly keeping all this in mind, Matthew noticed Elio's curious gaze and smiled softly as he asked:
"What do you want to buy later?"
Thinking about the flying carpet they had seen earlier, Elio curiously asked:
"Can I buy a flying tool? If our inspection team could fly like Yaya, we'd surely be better off."
Matthew was genuinely impressed by Elio's perceptiveness in wanting to turn their team into an air force.
Why did floating cities hold such strategic value?
Was it solely because they housed legendary-level Arcanists?
The Cole Elf Kingdom, with its millennia of accumulated wisdom and long-lived inhabitants...
Counted over a hundred legendary-level beings among its ranks.
Yet, it remained wary of the Netheril Empire's development, precisely because floating cities dominated the skies.
Similarly, during many battles in Bay Territory, Matthew and Yaya repeatedly demonstrated overwhelming suppression, largely thanks to Yaya's ability to fly.
She could attack at will, retreat with ease, and always strike the enemy's most vulnerable spots.
Once she neutralized units capable of threatening the walls or defensive formations, the enemy was dragged into Bay Territory's familiar combat rhythm, where superior experience and equipment ensured victory.
Now that Elio had realized this, it was clear she had her own ideas.
Without hesitation, Matthew nodded and smiled, saying:
"No problem. Besides flying carpets, we can buy a few other flying tools and study them to see which works best."
If they were going to do it, they might as well do it right!
Sera, who had remained silent, watched Matthew chatting cheerfully with Elio and found it somewhat unbelievable.
On the battlefield, he was the "cunning and insidious" Arcanist. In the lab, he was the terrifyingly detached experimenter. As a lord, he exuded authority and earned respect. Yet in everyday interactions, he behaved nothing like a noble.
Which of these vastly different facets was the real Matthew?
As Sera found herself lost in thought, Matthew's calm inquiry broke through:
"What about you? What kind of tool do you like?"
Slightly startled, Sera glanced at the various golems outside and tentatively said:
"I need a curved blade, preferably custom-made..."
Sera had weapons, but they were from the past. With her physique now changed, she needed to adjust accordingly.
Unexpectedly, Matthew shook his head and said, under Sera's anxious gaze:
"No need. When we return to the territory, I'll have brand-new weapons and armor crafted for you."
As a unique case among transformed warriors, Matthew was curious to see the combat potential Sera could unleash when fully equipped.
At that moment, the floating carriage stopped, and the young temporary coachman, Kyle, announced:
"My lord, we've arrived at Construct Street."
"Do you have an idea of the type of construct you'd like to purchase? I might have some suggestions."
While speaking, Kyle felt considerable pressure.
After boarding, he noticed the floating tower's insignia and realized the passengers were no ordinary people.
If things went well, all was good. If not, he might bear the blame.
Still, Kyle mustered his courage to speak.
He had no choice; he needed to earn as much money as possible.
Suddenly, Matthew seemed to remember something and said loudly to Kyle:
"Take me to the eastern provincial district. Bloodmoon City should have a storefront there."
Kyle, sharp-witted, immediately grasped the implication but didn't voice it. Instead, he nodded and said:
"I know where they are. I'll take you there right away, my lord."
Before long, Kyle brought Matthew to the Bloodmoon City store.
As Matthew expected, two plump figures stood idly by the entrance.
It was none other than the brothers Dazhuang and Dapeng.
Beside them were various strange humanoid-modified golems.
They were now dressed in mage robes, likely the reason passersby refrained from mocking the bizarre golems at their side.
Naturally, there were still murmurs behind their backs.
Many of the golems there were modified by 343 on Matthew's commission, not intended for Bloodmoon City's sale.
Clearly, however, in the heart of the Netheril Empire, these items weren't in demand.
Most people here were either spellcasters or reliant on them.
The golems from Bay Territory, designed for aiding civilians and factories, had little place here.
And with Dazhuang and Dapeng's subpar sales abilities, how could they possibly sell anything?
"Let's check out other stores, starting with the best-selling ones."
Matthew's words didn't arouse Kyle's curiosity. Forcing himself not to think too much, Kyle drove the carriage to other stores.
Matthew surveyed countless golems.
From low-tier clay and mudstone golems...
To mid-tier rock golems, flesh golems, rope golems, mechanical golems, and iron constructs...
To high-tier iron golems and corpse golems, the selection was exhaustive.
In addition to basic versions, there were various combat-oriented and protective modifications.
Shapes and appearances weren't limited to humanoid forms. A wide variety of bizarre models broadened the imagination.
Silently gathering "data," Matthew could discern the hidden "secrets" of most golems just by observing.
The assortment of spells and magical constructs made Matthew thoroughly enjoy himself.
[Ding! Magic Item Creation +6. Current: 162 (Transcendent).]
[Ding! Alchemy +3. Current: 185 (Transcendent).]
[Ding! Knowledge +2. Current: 220 (Legendary).]
After gaining this free knowledge, what resonated most deeply with Matthew were the bizarre flesh golems and corpse golems.
Many of their ingenious designs inspired Matthew, enriching his ideas for flesh alchemy.
After about ten minutes, Matthew finally asked Kyle to stop.
The carriage halted in a narrow corner before a small, rundown storefront.
Matthew observed the middle-aged man emerging slowly, his eyes filled with confusion and worry, and thought to himself:
"We meet again, the misguided mechanical genius - Victor!"